Study in Hong Kong from Nepal and India

Hong Kong student visa at a glance

Visa fee

HKD 330

Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

No fixed amount

Work in term

See guide

Standing rule

Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

2 yrs

IANG – recent graduates

Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Hong Kong you apply for the Visa/entry permit for study (student visa, issued as an e-Visa by the Immigration Department). The main visa fee is HKD 330. No fixed funds amount is published; you show enough to cover your study and living costs. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 24 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in Hong Kong?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Hong Kong student visa?

Who can apply

Students admitted to full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programmes (or registered full-time non-local courses) who can pay fees and living costs without working. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Local sponsor

You must nominate a Hong Kong sponsor – normally the institution that admitted you, or a Hong Kong resident aged 18+ who can support you. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Forms and documents

Form ID 995A (applicant) and ID 995B (sponsor), photo, passport copy, acceptance letter, and proof of finances (bank statements etc.) if the institution is the sponsor. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Funds

No fixed amount: you must show you can meet course fees, living and accommodation costs without working or public funds. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Where to apply

Online through the Immigration Department's e-service, or by post to ImmD headquarters in Tseung Kwan O (directly or via the sponsor). Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing time

Normally six weeks after all required documents are received. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Length of stay

Granted for the normal length of the programme (maximum six years on entry); extensions can be requested within four weeks before expiry. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

e-Visa

After approval you pay online and download the e-Visa, then show it with your passport on arrival. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Hong Kong identity card

Anyone aged 11+ allowed to stay more than 180 days must register for a Hong Kong identity card within 30 days of arrival. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Dependants

Full-time degree students in local programmes may bring a spouse and unmarried children under 18; dependants may not work without prior permission. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Translations

Documents not in Chinese or English need a certified translation. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Hong Kong?

Standing rule

Full-time students on local undergraduate-or-above programmes of at least one year may work on campus up to 20 hours a week and without limit from 1 June to 31 August (exchange students excluded). Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Temporary exemption (current)

These students are currently, on a temporary basis, exempted from the employment restrictions above, within their limit of stay or the period in their No Objection Letter. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

No Objection Letter

Exemption began for postgraduates in Nov 2023 and for undergraduates on 1 Nov 2024, with no limit on hours or work location; ImmD issues the NOL through the institution, so students do not apply. Source: info.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Internships

Study-related internships arranged or endorsed by the institution are allowed for up to one academic year or one-third of the programme, whichever is shorter. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Non-local (overseas-awarded) programmes

Part-time and summer work rights cover local programmes only; students on non-local programmes get the internship rule only. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

IANG – recent graduates

Graduates of full-time locally-accredited degree programmes who apply within six months of graduation get 24 months' stay without needing a job offer. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

IANG – later applicants

Applying more than six months after graduation requires a degree-level job offer at market pay. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Extensions

Further stays (normally 3 + 3 years) need a degree-level job or proof of business; a top-tier stream gives six years if income was HK$2 million+. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing

About two weeks for recent graduates, four weeks for non-recent graduates. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Right of abode

IANG holders who ordinarily reside in Hong Kong for seven continuous years may apply for the right of abode. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Hong Kong?

Compare universities across countries

What has changed recently?

1. 26 Feb 2025

   IANG became a 'specified scheme': HK$600 non-refundable application fee plus a HK$1,300 visa issuance fee for stays over 180 days. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 8 Sep 2025

   Student visa/entry permit and extension-of-stay fees rose from HK$230 to HK$330. Source: immd.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

3. 3 Oct 2025

   Government paper: from 2026/27 the ceiling for self-financed non-local students on taught programmes at funded institutions rises from 40% to 50% of local places. Source: edb.gov.hk (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• How long the temporary exemption from part-time work limits will last – the government said it would review it in 2025; ImmD's page still shows it but gives no end date.
• Whether students in Nepal or India can lodge applications through a Chinese embassy/consulate – the Education Bureau's Study in Hong Kong portal says overseas applicants may, but ImmD's own study page lists only online and postal submission.
• Health insurance – ImmD's study page does not state any insurance requirement; check with the university.
• English-language requirements – set by each institution, not by ImmD.
• Whether a specific programme is UGC-funded or self-financed (this decides eligibility for Nepali nationals) – confirm with the university before applying.
• Exact tuition for a given programme – the portal only gives a range.

Official sources for Hong Kong

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1Immigration Department (ImmD)immigration_authority · Visa/entry permit authority
2. 2ImmD – Students (visa/entry permit for study)student_visa · Eligibility, Nepal restriction, documents, 6-week processing, work conditions, dependants
3. 3ImmD – Fee Tablesfee · HK$330 student visa/entry permit and extension; specified-scheme fees
4. 4ImmD press release – fee revision (25 Jun 2025)fee · HK$230 to HK$330 from 8 Sep 2025
5. 5ImmD – IANGpost_study · 24-month stay, Nepal limitation, extensions, right of abode
6. 6ImmD – New Fee Structure for Specified Schemesfee · IANG HK$600 application + HK$1,300 issuance from 26 Feb 2025
7. 7GovHK press release – part-time work exemption for undergraduates (18 Oct 2024)work · Temporary exemption from 1 Nov 2024; NOL via institutions
8. 8LegCo reply LCQ – part-time work exemption status (18 Jun 2025)work · ~150,000 NOLs; review in 2025
9. 9ImmD FAQ – Immigration Policy on Studyfaq · Cap. 493 courses not open to Nepali nationals; extensions
10. 10ImmD – Registration of HK identity cardregistration · Register within 30 days if stay >180 days
11. 11Study in Hong Kong (Education Bureau) – Tuition fee and living expensesstudy_portal · Tuition HK$90,000–265,000; living ~HK$50,000/yr
12. 12Study in Hong Kong – Internship and part-time workwork · Work rules incl. exemption from 1 Nov 2024
13. 13Study in Hong Kong – Visasstudy_portal · Mentions Chinese missions for overseas applicants
14. 14EDB LegCo paper on 2025 Policy Address (3 Oct 2025)changes · Non-local self-financed ceiling 40%→50% from 2026/27